Daily Archive for January 26th, 2008

Auburn added a big prize to its recruiting class Friday when Baton Rouge (La.) Desire Street defensive tackle Freddie Smooth picked the Tigers over Oklahoma and several other schools.

Smooth is Auburn’s 25th commitment for the class of 2008.

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Smooth also considered offers from North Carolina and Clemson and was recruited by LSU.

“This morning Freddie told me he picked Auburn,” said Academy head coach Mickey Joseph. “He had a great time on his visit there.

“I think Freddie is excited because you’re talking about inner city kid from New Orleans who’s getting to play at one of the top programs in the country. When you talk about college football, Auburn is one of the best if not the best programs.”

Auburn made a big impression on Smooth when he officially visited Jan. 11.

“I think it was the family atmosphere coach Tuberville has down there that made the difference,” said Joseph. “It’s close enough to home to where his family can see him but he can also get away.”

Joseph credited Auburn assistant coach Greg Knox for landing Smooth.

“Coach Knox is a hell of a recruiter,” said Joseph. “He did a great job. He never negatively recruited Freddie or said a bad thing about another school.”

Whoever lands Smooth will be getting a big, physical defender according to Joseph.

“He’s a big-time, get-up-the-field kid,” said Joseph. “He’s an aggressive defensive tackle that refuses to be blocked. I think his best football is ahead of him because this is only his fourth year of playing football.”

Smooth is Auburn’s 25th commitment for the class of 2008. He will sign with the Tigers on National Signing Day, Feb. 6.